Using Griffith’s Valuation to find where people lived
Griffith’s Valuation is the primary valuation for Ireland. The valuation was conducted between 1848 – 1864. It’s worth to Irish genealogists cannot be overestimated.
The aim of the undertaking was to list where people lived and the value of their property for tax purposes. Each landowner and tenant was assessed to see how much Poor Rate they were liable to contribute for the upkeep of the destitute in their Poor Law Union.
This was the first full scale Irish valuation of property and was overseen by Dublin born Richard Griffith (1784 – 1878).
The Valuation can be researched online either by Family Name or Place Name. It will list the main owner, (landlord if applicable), the type of property, acreage of land and its taxable value. It will also give a precise numerical location which can be found on the nineteenth century map, also on the website. The letter after the number will refer to the actual dwelling. Capital letters reflect the main house on the property, while lower case letters mean it was a rented house or cottage on the land.
To use Griffiths Valuation online for free, visit the website www.askaboutireland.ie (opens in a new tab)
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2 Comments
Sarah Edwards · 14 July 2026 at 4:30 pm
I just came across your page after finding the Blackstaff Reservoir on a map and wanting to know the date of the map. I now know more than I was looking for.
I was born in Lisburn to a couple. My mom from Sandy Row and my dad from the upper Malone. My mom died when I was 17 and my aunt, her sister, just passed away in January. I am writing to get all of my stories in a timeline. Writing more than you need to know, I just want to understand the five W’s and have come across so much more that I didnt know.
I have an Instagram page SandyRow history and that page is really for my brain. I post and write the stories because I want to keep them in a place I can easily get access to whereever I am.
I would love to post your page but only if that would be ok with you.
I understand either way, but I want to study what you have posted.
Thank you so much for all of your work.
Sarah
P&P · 21 July 2026 at 2:49 pm
Sarah feel free to share. Sorry for the slow response as we were on holiday